‘White Lives Matter’ found spray-painted on side of black-owned business in Roxbury

ROXBURY (WHDH) — A black-owned business in Roxbury was vandalized with the message “White Lives Matter” and Boston police are now investigating.

Kai Grant, who owns Black Market, said her husband found the message when he was taking pictures of other graffiti on a nearby fence.

“I was flabbergasted,” Grant said. “I was angry.”

Grant is the owner of Black Market, a pop-up store where black-owned businesses can display and sell their artwork, clothing, jewelry and soaps.

“Perhaps these are people who don’t appreciate who we are or don’t even know who are — or don’t care,” Grant said.

The building’s management company scrubbed off the graffiti Thursday and put up a fresh coat of paint. The incident is now being investigated by the Boston Police Department’s Civil Rights Unit.

In a statement, Mayor Martin J. Walsh said, “Any defacement of other people’s property is a crime, and will not be tolerated. I know we have it in us to do better, as I saw this weekend during One Boston Day — and as Bostonians we need to continue striving towards acting with kindness and goodwill every day of the year.”

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